A Hungarian bookstore has been fined $36,000 for not wrapping a popular LGBTQ graphic novel in plastic wrap, as the law requires.
Lira — the country’s second-largest bookseller — plans on fighting the hefty fine, claiming it was disproportionate and the law is too vague.
The Hungarian government required all books with LGBTQ themes that are promoted to minors to be wrapped in clear plastic in 2021.
Officials argue that Lira broke these rules by selling “Heartstopper” by British author Alice Oseman, among other books, without any wrapping.
“The probe stated that the books in question depict homosexuality and despite this, they were placed among literature aimed for minors,” the government said in a statement.
However, Lira’s Creative Director Krisztian Nyary said the fine isn’t right.
“As this is a resolution about a fine it cannot be appealed, it can only be attacked — in what way, our lawyers will assess. We will use all legal means at our disposal,” he said.
Nyary argued the law wasn’t clear if booksellers could place the books on shelves aimed at adults and whether or not all LBGTQ books needed wrapping, or just the ones aimed at minors, according to CNN.
“This is all not clear,” he said.
The popular book, which was adapted into a Netflix show in 2022, depicts a gay couple falling in love in high school. The show earned 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and helped catapult some of its stars into the mainstream.
The book fine came just days after Budapest celebrated its Pride march on Saturday.
The European Union has strongly condemned Hungary’s anti-LGBT laws and even referred them to its Court of Justice last year.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s views align with conservative citizens, who believe Hungary is in a struggle to protect its Christian identity from Muslim immigrants and “gender and LGBT ideology.”
The anti-LGBT law went into effect shortly before his fourth re-election last year.
On Friday, nearly 40 embassies — including the US — urged Hungarian officials to protect the LGBTQ communities and to get rid of laws that discriminate against them, CNN reported.
With Post wires
